Shenango campus Learning Center director retires

Shenango campus Learning Center director retires

January 13, 2011

Julie Papadimas, senior instructor in English and director of the Learning Center, retired from Penn State Shenango this past summer.

Papadimas was hired in 1982 as a lecturer in English and as a writing tutor. In 1986, following a faculty search, she was hired as a full-time instructor and, over the next several years, taught additional courses including women writers and American studies.

In 1989, Papadimas was appointed interim coordinator of the new Learning Center. After two years of significant improvements in the Center, she was promoted to Learning Center Director. In 1993, Papadimas was appointed as coordinator of the Penn State Shenango English department as well as the campus’ representative to the English department at the University Park campus. In 2001, she was promoted to the rank of senior instructor of English.

During her tenure, Papadimas served on many academic and administrative search committees. She presented numerous papers at academic conferences on Anne Tyler and the legendary folk hero and songwriter Bob Dylan. Her research on Tyler, a Pulitzer-prize winning novelist, was published in the Journal of American Culture.

“As founder and decades-long director of the Learning Center, Julie Papadimas played a key role in the academic success of countless students,” said Chancellor Fred Leeds. “As a faculty member in English, she brought her passion for correct usage, popular culture, and literature to the classroom. Her impact was profound, and the campus community is grateful for her outstanding work.”